Indexing device



Allg'. 6, 1935. H,

` INDEXING DEVICE Filed July'ls, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet l /NYE/vraire BY ma.

MTNEJ.;

Aug. 6, 1935. H. HILL INDEXING DEvcE Filed July 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 /lv VEN To TTORNE YJ Aug. 6, 1935. H. HILL NDExING DEVICE Filed July 13, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inv/:pron

' .BY` y TToRNEYs H. HILL INDEXING DEVICE Aug. 6, 1935.

Filed July l5, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M'rnsss H. H ILL 2,010,784

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 6, 1935.

INDEXING DEVICE Filed July l5, 1951 7 MEI w "UNITED-'STATES PATENT. OFFICE? Patented Aug. 6, 1935 INDEXING DEVICE Hermann Hill, Syracuse, N. Y., assigner to Easy `Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse,`N.-Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 19371, Serial No. 550,507

This invention relates to a new and improved indexing device. My invention is particularly well adapted for use withwashing machines of the so-called vac# num cup type in which the vacuum cups are carried on a reciprocating piston and are intermittently partially moved `circumferentially of the vat so that when they are carried downwardly by the piston, theywill contact with different parts of the batch of clothes. i

The main object of my invention is to 4provide an indexing device which will cause the partial rotation of a reciprocating piston in one direction, and asubsequent partial rotation of the piston in the opposite direction.

Another object is to provide an indexing device which will not aifect any rotary movement of the piston during the major portion of its upward movement, but will a'ect such movement as the piston approaches the end of its upward travel `so that the Avacuum cups may be lifted directly upward from the clothes and will not be carried circumferentially of the vat until they have passed above the water level.

Anotherobject is to provide an indexing device which will not cause any rotary movement of the piston during its downward movement so that the vacuum cups will becarried directly downwardly into contact with the clothes.

Another object is to provide an indexing device which is particularly well adapted for use `in a washing machine of the vacuum cup type in that it insures that all of the clothes in the washing vat, irrespective of their location there in, will be subjected to the action of the vacuum cups.

v,Other objects and advantages relate to the size, shape and arrangement of parts all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figures l, 2, 3 and 5 are elevations of my indexing `device in different positions of its movement. y Figure 4 is a top plan view of the vacuum cups `of a washing machine indicating in full and in dotted lines, the different positions assumed by the cups `during the operation of the indexing device.`

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view indicating the path of lmovement taken by the piston due to the action of the indexing device. j

Figure 'I is an elevation, partially broken away and partially in section, of a washing machine embodying my invention.

urelO. l Figure l2 is a section on line IZr- IZof ure 7. L

Although my invention may be used ,incombif nation with various1 devices, I have here shown it as used in a washing machine ofthe vacuum cup type comprising a main frame I having the usual supporting legs 2,' and having supported thereon a washer vat 3. 3

On the under surface of frame I is secured a depending gear casing 4 inclosing a set of reducing gears not shownk which are operatively connected to an electric motor not shown. A,

Referring to Figures '7 to-lZ, a drive shaft -5 extends outwardly from gear casing 4, and has secured thereto, acrank 6. a. In the endrof crank 6 is secured a laterally extending crank pin extension 'i upon which is rockinglypositioneda connecting rod 8. Connecting rod 8 is secured in position on crank pin extension 'I by means of a washer 9 and a split ring ID.

On the outer end of crank pin extension l, and in this case shown as formed integral therewith, is a spur pinion II.

A main arm I2 is pivotally mounted in .the

forked end I3 of connectingrod as by a pivot pin i4. One end of main arm I2 is pivotally mounted on a pivoting link I5 which, in turn, is pivotaliy mounted on main frame I, intermediate the end of main arm I2 which is `mountedwon pivoting link I5, and the pivotal.. point vofrnain arm I2 on connecting rod 8, such main arm` i2 is pivotally mounted on a `compensatingcrank I6 which is pivotally mountedon gear casing #l as by a pivot pin Il'.

A vertically extending tubular supportingI post i 8 is secured in vat 3 at approximately lthe central point thereof and extends upwardly to a 4point above the normal level of the washing fluidwhich is in the vat during use. f

A piston I 9 is slidably mounted one end extending abovev the upper end of post I8 and with its lower end extending downwardly beneath frame I. u

On the upper end of piston I9 are., secureda plurality, in this case shown as three,of spaced depending vacuum cups 2G. Y ,y

Adjacent the lower end of piston Ill issecured as by a pin 2i, an annular collar 22.4v Beneath collar 22 and rotatably mounted on piston ,IS is in post I8 with a be'vel gear 23, a friction disk 24 being interposed between collar 22 and gear 23.

`Beneath gear 23 is positioned on piston I9 a pivoted trunnion 25 having laterally extending trunnions 26 and 21.

Pivo-ted trunnion 25 and gear 23 are heid in position on piston I9 by means of a washer 23 and a nut 29, which nut 29 is securely held against displacement as by a pin 30.

One end of main arm I2 is forked, as shown in Figure 11, and is rockingly mounted on trunnions 26 and 21.

Itwill be evident that when the device is operating, crank 6 will be rotated to carry connecting rod 8 upwardly and downwardly, and this in turn, will cause piston I9 to be reciprocated in post i3 to raise and lower the vacuum cups 2G. One end of main arm I2 being pivoted on the pivoting or swinging link I5, the reciprocating movement of piston I9 is permitted to take place in a straight line so that there may be no possibility of piston I9 binding in post I8.

lFor the purpose of assisting in the upward movement of main arm I2, I provide a spring 3i having one end secured to main frame i and having the other end secured to main arm I2 inside its pivot on link i5.

My indexing device comprises a spur gear 32, which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 33 secured in connecting rod 8.

On stub shaft 33 `and abutting against spur gear 32 is a cam member Sil secured against relative movement in relation to spur gaar 32 as by pins 35. Cam 34 and spur gear 33 are held in position on stub shaft 33 as by a washer 33, and a cotter pin 31.

Spur gear 32 is in mesh with spur pinion i I so that when crank 6 is rotated, spur gear '2 carrying cam 34 will be rotated on stub shaft 33. Although the ratio between spur pinion I l and spur gear 32 may be varied as desired, I have here shown the same as being in the ratio of four to one.

Beneath stub shaft 33, there is secured in connecting rod 8, a second stub shaft 38.

A bell crank 3S is rockingly mounted. on stub shaft 38 and is held in position thereon, as by a Washer 40 and a cotter pin 4I.

One arm of bellcrank 39 carries a vroller follower 42 which is yin contact with cam Bel, such contact being maintained by means of a spiral spring 33 which has one end secured to the other arm of bell crank 39, and its other end secured to pivoting link I5.

The second arm of bell crank 39 is secured as by a link 44 to the lower end of a bevel gear segment arm 45.

VBevel gear segment arm 45 is pivotally mounted on trunnion 21 and carries on its upper end a bevel gear segment 46 in mesh with bevel gear 23.

As spur gear 32 is rotated, the roller follower 42 on the bell crank 3S will follow the cam faces on cam 34 to rock bell crank 39 about its pivot 38. This, in turn, will cause the lower end of bell crank 39 to be moved towards and from the piston I9, and this movement through link 44, will cause bevel gear segment arm 45 to be rocked about its pivot to cause bevel gear segment 43 to move bevel gear 23, and this movement of bevel gear 23-will., through friction disk 24 and annular collar 22, cause a partial rotary movement oi piston I9, which will carry with it vacuum cups 2S. Friction disk 24 is provided so that in case clothes are entangled with the cups 28, spur gear 23 may slip on disk 24 so that its movement will not be communicated to piston IS.

Operation In manipulating the cups of a washer of the vacuum cup type, it is desirable that when the cups are raised in the vat, they move in a straight line until they have emerged from the washing fluid, and immediately thereafter, they be'moved a short -distance circumierentially of the vat as their upward movement is completed. It is then desirable that they be moved downwardly in a straight line to the limit of the downward movement.

To explain how my indexing device accomplishes the purpose for which it is designed, I have indicated on Figures l, 2 and 3, the position of the parts at different stages of the indexing movement. 1

For the purpose of this explanation, it may be assumed that the parts are in the position shown in heavy lines shown on Figure l, when the cycle of movement is initiated. In this position, the crank is in the lowermost position, as is the connecting rod ii, and the main arm i2.

The bevel gear segment 4B is at its extreme limit of movement which it may take in moving the piston i@ in counter-clockwise direction.

The roller follower 42 is in contact with one end of the cam face a on cam 34. As the crank 6 is rotated in a clock-wise direction, the connecting rod S carrying the main arm I2, and the indexing assembly will be raised upwardly, and during this movement, the cam 34 willbe moved in a counter-clockwise direction.

The cani face is of such a shape that as the parts are raised to the position shown in dotted lines on Figure "i in which position the vacuum cups 2t will have been raised above the liquid in the washing vat, the cam face a will not have eiected any-movement of the bell 'crank 39 so that the bevel gear segment i6 will have remained at rest in relation to the bevel gea-r 23. As the crank Ei continues to carry the parts upwardly, the roller follower 4Z will have moved on the cam face a from the position shown in dotted lines on Figure l to the position'shown in heavy lines on Figure 2, and during this movement, the cam face a will have caused the bell crank 39 to move about its pivot to rock the bevel gear segment arm 45h-and this lmovement will, through bevel segment gear it and bevel gear cause a partial rotation of piston I9 in a clock-wise direction to carry the cups 2i) approximately 30 degrees circumferentially of the vat 3.

This movement will bring the parts into the position shown in heavy lines on Figure 2, and in this position, the crank 6 will have completed one-half a revolution and will have carried the parts te the limit of theirupward movement.` As the crank t continues its rotation to` carry the parts downwardly from the position shown in heavy lines on Figure 2 to the position shown in dotted lines on Figure 2, the roller follower 42 will pass from the cam face a of cam 36S on to one end of the adjacent cam face b, as shown in dotted lines on Figure 2.

Cam faces a and b are so designed that this movement of roller follower 42 will not moveubell crank iabout its pivot, and in'conseque'nce, the bevel segment gear 45 will remain' in xed relation to the bevel gear so that no rotation of piston i9 will take effect during the movement of the parts from the top to the bottom position.

As the crank 5 begins its second'rotatiom'the cam face b, but the relation of parts `is such that such movement of roller follower 42 on cam face b will cause no movement of bell crank 36 about its pivot so that bevel gear segment 46 will re-4 main' in fixed relation to bevel gear 23.

As` crank 6 continues its upward movement to carry the parts from the position 4shown in heavy lines on Figure 3 to the position shown in dotted lines on FigureY 3, cam face b will bear against rollerV follower 42 to move bell crank`36 about its pivot which, in turn, will rock bevel gear segment arm 45, and this in turn, through l revolution to carry the partsto their uppermost position, they Ywill be in the relation shown in bevel gear segment 46 and bevel gear 23, will cause the rotation of piston I9 to carry the cups a further 30 degrees circumferentially of vat 3,1 and when the crank 6 has completed the half dotted lines on Figure 3 with bevel gear segment 46 in its farthest limitv of movement piston I3 clockwise. e

' The continued rotation of piston 6 will cause theparts here described to be carried downwardly to the bottom position, and during this movement roller follower 42 will have moved from `carri face b to the beginning of cam face c and into the po sition shown in heavy lines on Figure 5.

The relationof parts is such that as roller follower 42 moves from cam face b to cam face c, the bell crank 39will not be moved about its pivotso that bevel gear segment 46 will remain infixedrelation to bevel gear 23. After this movement has been effected, the continued rotation of crank 6 will cause the parts to be carried upwardly into; the position shown in heavy lines on Figure 5, and the cups 20 raisedabove the level of the liquid in vat 3.` `'I'he relation of parts is such that during this initial upward movement, the roller 42 will move on cam face c without effecting any movement of bell crank 39 about its pivot so that bevel gear segment 46 will remain in fixed relation to bevel gear 23.

During the continued upward movement of crank 6 to carry the parts `from the position Shorinji in` heavy lines `on Figurer51tothe position shown in dotted lines on such figure, the roller follower l42 will follow the concave face of cam faceI c. to permit the bell crank 39 to be'moved about its pivot in a direction opposite to that'in which it was moved when in contact with cam faces a and bY so that the bevel gear'segmelnt arm 45 lwill be rocked in an ropposite direction, vandthis through bevel gear segmentA 46 and bevel gear 23,` will cause piston I9to"be partially rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to carry the cups 210,30 degrees circumferentially of the vat 3, Although I have not here shown the further relation ofparts on the drawings, it will be understood that as crank 6 continues its rotation to carry the parts to thebottom position, the roller follower 42 will move from the cam face Acto ,the cam `face d with no affect on the rotary Valong cam .face d after the cups 20 have emerged in moving from the washing fluid in the vat 3 will permit the movement of bell crank 39 about its pivot to carry bevel gear segment 46 from the position shown in dotted lines on Figure 5 to the position shown in heavy lines on Figure l to effect a se`c``` ond rotary movement of piston I9 to carry cups 20 a further 30 degrees circumferentially of vat 3. After this last movement of bevel gear segment 46, the parts will be returned to the bottom position without affecting the relation of bevel gear segment 46 to gear 23, and when they are in this bottom position, one cycle of movement will have been completed, and a further operation of the device will again carry the parts through a similar cycle of movement.

When the piston I9 is characterized in the specification and claims as being partially rotated, the expression means that the piston asa uni is rotated less than a full revolution.

Figure 4 is a, top plan of the vacuumV cups showing the different positions taken by them during the cycle of movement just described.

Figure 6 indicates the path of movement taken by the cups during the cycle just described.`

cycle is indicated by dotted arrows.

I have here shown a cycle of movement in which the cups are carried degrees circumferentially of the vat twice and are then carried 30 degrees circumferentially of the vat in the reversedirection, by two movements to bring them back to the starting point. It will be understood, however, that the number of consecutive movements in each direction may be varied if desired, and it will also be understood that th point in the upward movement of the piston at which the rotary movement ofthe same begins may also be changed, if desired, for although I have shown and described a specific structure and form and relation of parts as an exemplifies.,- tion of an embodiment of my invention, I do not desire to restrict myself to the exact size, shape or relation of parts as various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an indexing device, a piston, means for moving the piston upwardly, means operative at a given point inthe upward travel of the piston for partially rotating the same by friction in Vone direction, means for moving the piston downwardly with therotating means inoperative, and means operative at a. given point in a second upward movement of the piston for partially rotating the same by friction in the opposite direction. Y

2. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, means for partially rotating the piston Aby friction in one direction duringan upward movement thereof, and `means for partially rotating the piston in the opposite direction by friction during a subsequent upward movement thereof.

3, Irfan indexing device, a. piston,l means for reciprocating the piston vertically, means for partially rotating the piston by friction in one direction during van upward movement thereof, and means for partially rotating the piston' in the opposite direction by friction during a subsequent upward movement thereof, said rotating means being ineffective during the downward movement of the piston. l

4. In an indexing device, a piston, means for I' ing an upward movement thereof, and means for partially rotating lthe piston in the opposite direction during a subsequentupward movement thereof, ,said'rotating'means being carried on said reciprocating means and comprising a rotatable cam, Va bell crank having one arm coactingwith the cam, a pivoted bevel gear segment arm connected by a link to theother arm of the bell crank,.a bevel gear segment carried on said segment arm and being in mesh with la bevel gear rotatably mounted on the piston, and friction means for transmitting movement from the bevel gear to the piston. j

5. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the ,piston vertically, means for partially rotating the piston in one direction during an upward movement thereof, and means for partially rotating the piston in the opposite direction during a subsequent upward movement thereofysaid, rotating means beingvcarried on said reciprocating means and comprising a rotatable -cam, a bell crank having one arm co-acting with the cam, a pivotedbevel gear segment arm connected by a link to the other arm of the bell crank, a bevel gear segment carried on said 'segment arm and being in mesh with a bevel gearA rotatably mounted on the piston, and friction` means for transmittingmovement from the bevel gear to the piston, said rotating means being ineffective during the downward movementof the piston'.

6. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston, means for partially ro-l tating the piston by friction in one directionduring `an axial movement thereof in one direction, and means for partially rotating the pistonby friction in the opposite direction during a subsequent axial movement thereof, in the same direction, said rotating means being ineiective during the axialmovement of the piston in the opposite direction.

, 7. VIn an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the pistonv vertically, means for partially rotating the piston in one direction during an upward movement thereof, and means for partially rotating the piston in the opposite. direction during a subsequent upward movement thereof, said rotating means lbeing carried on said reciprocating means and comprising a rotatable cam, a bell vcrank having one arm co-acting with the cam, a pivoted bevel gear segment arm connected by alink to the other arm of the bell crank, a bevel gear segment carried on said segment arm and -beingin mesh with abevel gear rotatably mounted on the piston, said'bevel gear segment being adapted to be rocked in one direction during one upward movement of the piston and being adapted to be rocked-in the opposite direction during another upward movement of the piston, and friction means for transmittingmovement from the bevel gear to the piston. Y l

8. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, means for partially rotatingthe-piston in one direction during an upward movement thereof, and means for partially rotating the piston in the opposite direction during a subsequent upward movement thereof, said rotating means being carried on said reciprocating means and comprising a rotatable cam, a bell crank having one arm co-acting with the cam, a pivoted bevel gear segment arm connected by a link to the other arm of the bell reciprocating the piston vertically means for* partially rotating vthe piston in one direction durcrank, a bevel gearsegment carried on said segment arm and being in mesh with a bevel gear rotatably mounted on the piston, said bevel gear segmentbeing adapted to be rocked in one direction during one upward movement of the piston and being adapted to be rocked in the opposite direction during another upward movement of the piston, and friction means for transmitting movement from the bevel gear to the piston, said rotating means being ineffective during the downward movement of the piston.

9. In an yindexing device, a piston, means for moving the piston axially, means operable at a given point in the axial movement of the piston in one direction for partially rotating the piston by friction, means operable at a given point in a subsequent axial movement of the piston in the same direction for partially rotating the piston by friction in the opposite direction, such rotating means being inoperative when the piston is moved axially in the opposite direction.

` 10. In an indexing device, a piston, means for moving the piston axially, means actuated by said piston moving means and operable at a given point in the axial movement of the piston in one direction for partially rotating the piston by friction, means operable at a given point in a subsequent axial movement of the piston in the same direction for partially rotating the piston by friction in the opposite direction, such rotating means being inoperative when the piston is moved axially in the opposite direction.

l1. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, means for partially rotating the piston in one direction during an upward movement thereof and for partially rotating .the piston in the opposite direction during a subsequent upward movement thereof, said rotating means comprising a rotatable cam, abell crank having an'arm cor-acting with thev cam, a pivoted gear segment arm connected with the other arm of the bell crank, and meansvactuated by the gear segment arm for frictionally transmitting movement to the piston.

12. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, an irregularly shaped cam, means for rotating the cam, and means `actuated by the cam for producing a partial rotary movement of the piston in one direction during an upward movement of said piston and for maintaining the piston against rotation during the downward movement of the piston..

13. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, an irregularly shaped cam rotated by the reciprocating means, and means actuated by the cam for producing a partial rotary movement of the piston in one direction during an upward movement of said piston Vand for maintaining the piston against rotation during Athe downward movement of the piston.

14. In an indexing device, a piston, means for reciprocating the piston vertically, a cam rotated by the reciprocating means, and means actuated by the cam for frictionally producing a partial rotary movement of the piston in one direction during an upward movement of said piston and for frictionally maintaining the piston against rotation during the downward movement of the piston.

15. vIn an indexing device for clothes washing machines, a plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, a non-positive connection, and means for rotating said plunger through said non-positive vconnection first in one direction on an upward movement thereof and then in the opposite direction upon a subsequent upward movement thereof.

16. In an indexing device for clothes washing machines, a plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, a non-positive connection, means for rotating said plunger through said non-positive connection first in one direction upon an upward movement thereof and then in an opposite direction upon a subsequent upward movement thereof, and means for causing said rotational movement to occur after said plunger has started its upward movement.

`17. In an indexing device for clothes washing machines, a plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, a non-positive connection, means for rotating said plunger through said non-positive connection rst in one direction upon an upward movement thereof and then in an opposite direction upon a subsesuent upward move.

ment thereof, and means comprising a cam for causing said rotational movement to occur after said plunger has started its upward movement.

18. In an indexing device for washing machines wherein Washing elements are reciprocated in a vat, a vertically reciprocable rod adapted to actuate said washing elements, means for reciprocating Vsaid rod, and means for rotating said rod including a friction connection operable at a point in the upward travel of said rod near the top of its stroke, said friction connection being adapted to prevent rotation of said rod during the downward travel thereof.

19. In an indexing device for washing machines ywherein washing elements are reciprocated in a vat, a vertically reciprocable rod adapted to actuate said washing elements, means for reciprocating said rod, a cam adapted to be rotated by said rod reciprocating means, means actuated by said cam for rotating said rod including a friction connection operable at a point in the upward travel of said rod near Ythe top of its stroke, said cam and friction connection being adapted to prevent rotation of said rod during the downward travel thereof.

20. In a washing machine, a vat, washing elements in said vat, a vertically reciprocable rod for actuating said washing elements, means for reciprocating said rod, said means being adapted to raise said washing elements above the normal duid level of said vat,- and means for rotating said rod including a friction connection operable at a point in the upward travel of said rod when said washing elements are above the normal fluid level of said vat, said friction connection being adapted to prevent rotation of said rod during the downward travel thereof.

HERMANN HILL. 

